Penang-based Aspen Group, a property development and real estate investment group, is looking into developing a digital platform for the Vertu Resort residential development management team in Batu Kawan, Penang to prevent their units from being used for AirBnB.

The Vertu Resort, a resort-inspired residential development, is one of Aspen’s current ongoing residential development projects in Batu Kawan.

Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk M. Murly today said that the platform would be used to compile a database of registered tenants for the residential development properties, which would be convenient for the management team to identify which units are occupied or vacant.

“The residential units in Vertu Resort are only for tenants who have registered to stay for at least six months, not to be used in AirBnB for short-term stay,” he told Bernama at Vervea Trade and Exhibition Centre (VTEC) Batu Kawan here.

He said that the platform would also be used to verify residents who enter the premises through sophisticated security systems such as optic retina scan, thumbprint scan and radio-frequency identification (RFID).

He also said that an eConcierge app would also be available for the residents there to make reservations for inbound e-hailing services, book public facilities and make e-payments with the residential development management team.

“What we are trying to do is not to constrain (the residents) too much, but to make a quick and convenient way for the management,” he said.

Earlier, Murly introduced several lifestyle enhancements for Vertu Resort aimed at providing residents a more enjoyable and wholesome living environment.

According to him, the enhancements focus on four main pillars, namely technological advancements, sustainable practices, innovative breakthroughs and security upgrades.

“All these lifestyle enhancements will be standardised throughout Aspen Group’s future residential development projects,” he said.

He said that one of the biggest challenges in introducing the enhancements was the cost, as approximately RM15 million had already been invested in them.

However, he believed that the future value would make the investment in Vertu Resort worthwhile.

“As a new (Bandar Cassia) township in Batu Kawan, we would want to give a compelling reason for the home buyers to call it a home.

“Despite all these added enhancements, there will be no additional maintenance fee incurred for the residents,” he said, noting that an additional fee would be charged if the residents use on-demand facilities.

The Vertu Resort key handover ceremony is expected to be held by the end of 2020.

Source: Bernama

Artist Impression

The development of the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) over four phases at RM500 million will begin next month, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.

He said it would begin with the most important component – the extension of the existing berth –

to enable the terminal to berth two mega cruise vessels at any given time, carrying 10,000 passengers and crew members each along with a host of infrastructures.

He said the first phase, for RM150 million, was a collaboration between Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) and private investment.

Lim added that upon completion within 24 to 36 months, it would increase the foreign visitors to the state from the current 500,000 capacity annually to 3 million.

“This is a very important phase in efforts to woo more foreign visitors to the state. As it is, the port here is the top port in the whole of the country for last year used for international transits.

“With the development in place, this will further boost the state’s cruising sector, which will see multiplier efforts,” he said after a working visit to the SPCT here this afternoon.

Earlier, he was briefed on the port’s development by Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Jeffrey Chew and PPSB chief executive officer Sasedharan Vasudevan.

Last year, Malaysia was in third place in Asia after Japan and mainland China in terms of cruise deployment and capacity.

The entire four-phase development, at a 2.83ha site, is expected to be completed by 2025.

Meanwhile, Lim said as part of the development, there would be two duty-free shops within the SPCT, with one already in operation selling chocolates and perfume.

He said this was in line with the announcement made during the tabling of the 2019 Budget.

“For now, PPSB is in the process of applying for the necessary licence from the Customs Department to enable more duty-free items to be sold.

“We are looking at turning the whole area into a free commercial zone in future,” he said.

Source: NST Online

Artist impression – Gurney Wharf promenade

The Penang government will be appointing a project manager this month to help in overseeing the running of the newly-reclaimed Gurney Wharf.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said they should be able to appoint the manager in the next one or two weeks.

“We’re targeting the appointment of the project manager to assist the government to create the Gurney Wharf,” Chow told a press conference after officiating the UOW Malaysia KDU Assemble Final Year Exhibition 2020 at 1st Avenue in George Town today.

“The reclamation of the side of Gurney Drive is 131 acres but only about 40 over acres will be used for the green area. The rest are for road reserves and other parts of the land to be given to Zenith Consortium for the project.

Find out more about Gurney Wharf

“It will be followed by the appointment of lead consultant who will take a few months to come out with the design to call for the tender for various contractors to start work maybe in July or August. So, the actual work of planting trees will probably start around July.”

Chow also revealed that the state government would announce the five finalists of the Penang South Islands Masterplan Design Competition next week.

“The five finalists will start their design work from January to April. So, in April, we will have a public exhibition of their works,” he added.

The competition initially attracted applications from 125 firms from 25 countries, out of which 27 of the world’s leading architects and town planners from about 10 countries were shortlisted for the second stage, called the ‘Expression of Interest’ stage.

Chow said one of the conditions for all the consortiums taking part was that they must be represented by a Malaysian architect or town planner.

The winner of the competition chosen by the Master Jury panel will be appointed by the state as the Lead Master Plan Designer, subject to terms and conditions.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

The Ministry of Housing and Local Government is planning to mould Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) into a national housing corporation to ensure a centralised and standardised housing industry for easy monitoring and enforcement, among others.

Its minister Zuraida Kamaruddin in brushing off the allegation that PR1MA would be dissolved soon said the government was looking at the way forward for the corporation where housing projects under the education and defence ministries, respectively as well as Felda’s new generation would be placed under PR1MA.

Current and upcoming PR1MA projects in Penang

Residensi Pauh Permai

Residensi Pauh Permai, formerly known as Residensi Permatang Pauh in mainland Penang, undertaken by Excel Focus Properties Sdn. Bhd. Strategically located within the established township of Permatang Pauh, only about 500 meters away from Butterworth-Kulim Expressway. Neighboring communities include Taman Naluri, Taman Naluri Ria and Taman Janggus Jaya. The proposed ...

Residensi Batu Ferringhi

*PROJECT CANCELLED* (Related news) Residensi Batu Ferringhi, formerly known as PR1MA affordable housing, is strategically located along Jalan Sungai Satu in Batu Ferringhi, just a stone's throw away from the Ferringhi Residence housing scheme by Mah Sing Group. This development project comprises 3 blocks of 32-storey building, offering a total ...

PR1MA @ Bukit Gelugor

One of the first few PR1MA affordable housing approved in Penang. This development is strategically located on Kampung Kastam land near the intersection of Jalan Bukit Gambier and Jalan Lembah, undertaken by Ideal Capital Venture Sdn. Bhd. It's only less than 2km away from University Science Malaysia (USM), neighbouring communities include Centrio ...

Source: EdgeProp.my

* PROJECT REJECTED *

Yet another affordable housing development planned near Jalan Betek in Bukit Mertajam. Proposed by JSC Infraland Sdn. Bhd, this development is located along Lorong Tembikai 8, next to Woodlands Park affordable housing scheme by PTL Properties Sdn. Bhd.  It just a stone’s throw away from SJK(C) Keow Kuang Primary School, with easy access to nearby amenities which include banks, famous eateries, markets and shopping mall.

This development comprises a 24-storey residential building, featuring 176 affordable units with a standard built-up size of 859 sq.ft. The units are to be priced below RM250,000.

The project is still pending for approval. More details to be available upon official launch.

READ MORE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

• Eligibility and the requirement of buying affordable housing
• Full list of affordable housing in Penang

Project Name: (to be confirmed)
Location : Bukit Mertajam
Property Type : Affordable Housing
Built-up Size: 859 sq.ft.
Total Units: 176
Indicative Price: RM250,000
Developer : JSC Infraland Sdn. Bhd.
Last Updated: Jan 2021

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